Datalogging Insight

KS4 (Years 10 - 11)

Design & Technology, ICT, Science, Mathematics, Geography & English

Description

Datalogging Insight is a computer program to be used as a learning resource for Science education. Previous users of ‘Insight 3’ will recognise many of the features. It is designed for a range of users with different levels of skill and confidence in computers. The program is contained on one CD-ROM. Also contained in the package are a program guide, a teaching and learning guide and a Quick Reference Card with prompts for setting up and using analysing tools. In order to use the program, further hardware items are needed – a data-logger or interface box, sensors and laboratory apparatus.

The program works in three modes. Sensing Mode is for data-logging with analogue sensors (temperature, light, etc.). Timing Mode is used for timing measurements with switch-type sensors (light gates, etc.). Modelling mode is employed for building formulae and mathematical modes for generating data.

It is possible to switch between any of these modes in any order from the ‘Set-up’ menu. This makes it possible to collect data in Sensing or Timing mode, then switch to Modelling mode and build a model to generate theoretical data. Alternatively, it is possible to build a model first in Modelling mode then collect real data in Sensing or Timing mode. In either case, both sets of data may then be compared. If the model needs adjustment to get a better fit, it is easily edited. Modelling mode may be used for conventional spreadsheet activities. The spreadsheet table in the program is useful for storing information from science experiments where sensors are not appropriate.

There are several ways of entering data into the program. Data can be entered from sensors – both analogue and digital. A wide variety of different manufacturers’ data-logging hardware is supported, making it possible for a class to use different hardware systems with the common Datalogging Insight software program. Alternatively, the keyboard can be used for some data entry – measurements not requiring a sensor (ruler measurements, etc.), data from secondary sources (textbooks, Internet, etc.) or textual information (names, descriptions, etc.). Lastly, data can be entered from files – data from previous experiments or modelling activities can be loaded from Datalogging Insight files, Insight 3 files, CSV, TSV and SID format files. Thus, data from a wide variety of alternative software sources can be entered.

Supporting Documentation

The program guide describes in detail how to set up the software and explains the variety of the program’s features. It is possible to choose your own settings, and full instructions are included for setting up the system, connecting hardware, analysing existing data, and calculating new data. There are even instructions on loading and saving the files. Instructions are easy to read and understand and makes use of screen shots to help understanding.

The Teaching and Learning Guide describes the principles which underlie the use of the program and some of the contexts for which it was designed. It also contains many ideas for using the program in laboratory Science. The guide is intended for selective rather than sequential reading and teachers can make use of the various sections according to their needs and interests.

The guides are also available in PDF format on the CD-ROM. Any data needed for the activities is included on the disc. Each section has teacher’s notes, a program of study keywords, details of skill levels and hints and tips on lesson and classroom organisation.

Technical Support

There are contact details for Technical Support and details of a website to visit for more detailed guidance, although this was not available when I tried.

Purpose of the Program

Datalogging Insight is a tool for investigative work requiring measurement and it simplifies many aspects of collecting and displaying data and encourages exploration and initiative. As such, it is suitable for any part of the Curriculum which requires data measurement and analysis.

Curriculum Relevance

There is a range of activities in the Teaching and Learning Guide which is suitable for Key Stage 3–Key Stage 4. A problem is posed for each activity and students are encouraged to think about the design of their experiments. Specific instructions are kept to a minimum so that attention can be focused on the purpose of the experiment and on suitable questions for interpreting the results. Students can load up a set-up file to configure the program settings to their choice.

Extent

Activities in the guide include sensing and modelling, timing and modelling, and spreadsheet activities.

Appropriateness

The program is very useful for scientific investigation using ICT. At Key Stage 4, students are encouraged to explore their own ideas through an investigative approach in which they are given a large measure of responsibility for the design and conduct of experiments. Datalogging Insight is a very useful tool for such investigations because it simplifies many aspects of collecting and displaying data and encourages exploration and initiative. Students need to have a good awareness of the range of tools provided in the program, an understanding of useful techniques with them and ideas of the sort of questions which can be posed about data. The Skills Reference Card gives many suggestions for useful questions and techniques for gaining answers, delivered in a clear and easily understandable language.

Quality

The program uses good quality graphics that are easily read and understood. It is easy to zoom in and out of the given graphs, and the tool bars are clear and self-explanatory.

Less able students can easily obtain results of their experiments, while the program is capable of performing more complex tasks for the more able student. There are no differentiated activities, but teachers can adapt the activities, and the language used in the questions, for less able students. More able students will use the program for extension activities.

Datalogging Insight is a learning resource for Science education which provides a comprehensive environment for integrating the process of measurement in practical Science with thinking about numerical data. It can be used with a variety of sensors connected to a microcomputer through a choice of different manufacturers’ data-logging hardware systems. It can also be used as a general purpose mathematical tool for developing models for describing data. It helps pupils get more out of practical Science by providing them with tools to extend their observations, encourage experimentation and prediction, and link theory with experiment. It is designed for a range of users with different levels of skill and confidence in computers. For the novice, results are easily obtained with the minimum of fuss; for the sophisticated user, Datalogging Insight can meet the demands of many complex tasks.

Read KS4 Classroom evaluation...

Product Overview

This product is distributed by Logotron (Tel: 01223 425558 Free Support Helpline)